The Replacement Wife Read online

  Also by Tiffany L. Warren

  Don’t Tell a Soul

  Published by Dafina Books

  THE REPLACEMENT WIFE

  TIFFANY L. WARREN

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  Also by Tiffany L. Warren

  Title Page

  Acknowledgments

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  A READING GROUP GUIDE

  Discussion Questions

  Teaser chapter

  Teaser chapter

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgments

  Writing this book has been such a journey! I want to thank God, first and foremost! I love that He keeps giving me stories, and I am blessed to continue writing them. Lord, I thank you.

  I thank God for my family. My husband, Brent, who continues to be a positive force in my life, thank you for your support and prayers. Continue to walk in destiny.

  I must thank my children with every release, Briana, Brittany, and Brynn—you all did a wonderful job as Morgan, Madison, and Danielle in the stage-play version of this book. You are wonderful actors and singers! Brent II and Brookie, thank you for being my babies. You are getting so big that I won’t be able to say that soon.

  To Mercedes, Adeola, and the entire team at Kensington—thank you for your tireless efforts. To my wonderful agent, Sara Camilli—welcome to my world of crazy. Thank you for supporting the art!

  Thank you to all the book clubs that have supported me over the years. There are too many to name, but I’d like to give a special shout-out to Pastor Marguritte Johnson and the Godly Girlfriends book club in Mesquite, Texas. (I forgot them last time I was giving shout-outs!)

  To the writers I admire and call friends, thank you for your advice and kind words. You know who you are. To my true blues, my homies, my ride or die (why somebody gotta die) chicks—Shawana, Leah, Rhonda, and Brandi! You all know exactly how to pray for me, so let’s get to it.

  Shout-out to the Lunch Bunch: Margie Faye, Jay, Misty, Lee Lee, Olivia, and Brandi. (Thanks for showing up at my book signing and acting like I was a celebrity.) Much love to Myron Butler and the Potter’s House Choir of Dallas. (I know y’all sick of my testimonies, but oh well.)

  I know I am forgetting lots of folk, so please charge it to my head and not my heart!

  Blessings,

  Tiffany

  PROLOGUE

  Chloe scanned the incredibly packed sanctuary and groaned. The only seats available were in the balcony, and that just wouldn’t do. Chloe wanted to kick herself for not gassing up her Benz the night before. That extra fourteen minutes at the gas station had probably made all the difference. Now, instead of sitting close enough to her next husband that he could smell her Chanel No. 5, she would be in the rafters with the nonim-portant attendees . . . unless she could convince one of the ushers to seat her in front, where she so obviously belonged.

  Chloe weighed her choices. One of the center aisles was being guarded by a white-haired woman with a body like a Baltimore Ravens lineman and a glare to match. Chloe immediately decided against her. She was likely immune to any of Chloe’s charms and would probably have her removed from the sanctuary for trying to sidestep the rules.

  The other center aisle was being handled by a distinguished and handsome man of about fifty years. Every few seconds he wiped tears from his eyes. He probably knew the recently departed Chandra Chambers personally. Had probably dined with the family in that gigantic mansion off West Paces Ferry Road, right smack in the middle of Atlanta’s old money. He was, without question, Chloe’s mark.

  Chloe stumbled down the aisle, tears flowing freely, and soft sobs escaping every few seconds. The sensitive usher approached her and touched her arm.

  “I’m so sorry, miss, but there are no more seats in the main sanctuary. You’ll have to sit in the overflow.”

  Chloe nodded and placed one hand on her chest. As she’d hoped, the usher’s gaze followed her hand to her slightly surgically enhanced, sufficiently heaving and bronzed bosom.

  “I know,” Chloe said in a throaty whisper, “but I just want to look at Chandra one more time. We were roommates at Spelman, and she was just like a sister to me.”

  The usher looked unsure, so Chloe went in for the kill. “When she was sick, she asked me to look after her babies for her. How can I do that from the balcony?”

  This settled it for the usher. Chloe was sure he believed every word of her emotional speech. And why wouldn’t he? Who would lie at a funeral about the wishes of the deceased?

  Only a desperate person.

  And as much as Chloe hated to admit it, she was desperate, and her socialite status was in severe jeopardy. She had just a couple hundred thousand dollars in the bank, which enabled her to strategize without getting a nine to five, but it wouldn’t keep her in the society circles she’d infiltrated with her late fiancé. Walter had been a billionaire. She’d met him on the beach in St. Bart’s one holiday. Although he was seventy-eight, Walter was spry and sexy, and he’d given Chloe everything her heart had desired. Well . . . almost everything. He’d never made her his bride, and when he died suddenly of an aneurysm, Walter’s children unceremoniously threw Chloe out on her behind. All she had left was the sum of the gifts he’d given her—a fully furnished townhouse, several large diamonds and other jewels, and a car.

  Chloe tried not to draw too much attention to herself as she followed the usher down to the front row. She wanted to be remembered by only one person—Quentin. The lineman usher scowled, but Chloe’s friendly usher made room for her on the aisle. None of the family paid attention to the extra person in their pew. In fact, the family seemed to be in a tearful haze. Quentin looked especially hopeless, but even still, his incredible good looks made Chloe’s heart skip a beat. His caramel skin seemed to glow as tears coursed down his face.

  Chloe wanted to reach out and comfort him, pull him to her saline plumped breasts and caress his pain away.

  Yes, Chloe did believe she would have her some of Quentin Chambers. And his millions.

  CHAPTER 1

  Five years later ...

  Chloe walked into the packed nail salon for her weekly pedicure with her best friend, Lichelle. The Nail Spot w
as always crowded and always cost just a little bit extra. Maybe it was because it was owned by an ex-rapper turned entrepreneur. Or maybe it was because gossip was on the menu, just like the paraffin wax and the acrylic tips.

  Lichelle waved Chloe to the back of the salon—the VIP area. She’d saved Chloe a spot, which was darn near impossible to do, but Lichelle, the wife of a wealthy real estate broker, was a regular. And a good tipper.

  Chloe slid into the luxurious chair and leaned back, careful not to muss her freshly perfected hairdo. Her short tresses were expertly sculpted, and they framed her face perfectly, softening the potentially strong features created by her excessive workouts.

  “Girl, I thought I was gonna have to fight that queen over there. He kept eyeballing your chair like he was about to snatch it,” Lichelle said, as she blew Chloe a kiss.

  “I am not thinking about him.”

  Chloe cut her eyes at the man, who gave her much attitude. She didn’t have time to exchange words with him, nor did she want to ruin her mood. She was going to Lichelle’s yacht party later with Quentin, and it was going to be a blast.

  But first she was about to get her feet rubbed and mashed by her favorite nail tech, Trey. He was fine and buff, and his foot massages took her to the mountaintop.

  Trey slid over in front of Chloe on his little stool. “Hey, ma. How’s your day going?”

  Chloe grinned as Trey cracked his knuckles and took her foot into his hand in a miniature caress. “It’s going great now, babe. Do your magic!”

  “I am telling Quentin,” Lichelle said.

  Chloe lifted Lichelle’s left hand and touched the enormous rock on her ring finger. “You’re the only one married. I am still very unmarried.”

  “But not unattached. You’ve been with Quentin for an eternity.”

  Chloe winced at the word. It had been a long time. Five years, to be exact. Quentin didn’t seem the least bit interested in marriage. She didn’t think he loved her, but he enjoyed her company enough to foot the bill for her every need. He even gave her a small shopping allowance.

  Admittedly, she wanted more. Not necessarily marriage, but at least a commitment. A bit of assurance that the fun times were more than temporary.

  “Five years is not an eternity. Especially since we got together right after he buried his wife.”

  “How long are you going to wait for him to marry you?” Trey asked.

  “I’m not waiting for him to marry me. I’m enjoying what we have. Savoring the moments.”

  Lichelle sucked her teeth and shook her head. “What if he wakes up tomorrow and decides he’s ready to trade you in?”

  “You do have quite a few miles on you, and you are definitely fine—I wouldn’t kick you out of bed. But you’re not a twentysomething anymore,” Trey said.

  “Is this attack Chloe day? I’m not feeling this.”

  Trey laughed. “Sorry, ma. Let me squeeze that stress away.”

  Chloe closed her eyes and moaned. It was as if Trey had some secret road map that led straight from the middle of her foot to her unmentionables.

  “Seriously, though,” Lichelle said, invading Chloe’s ecstasy, “have you thought about a backup plan?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You need to make sure you’re financially okay in case Quentin decides you are not his final resting place.”

  “You could always have Quentin’s baby,” Trey said.

  “Ugh. No! Low-rent women have babies for a paycheck. I do not do that.”

  Trey shrugged. “Sorry. It was just a thought.”

  “If you’re not going to give Quentin a love child, then you really need to think about your future. Why don’t you ask Quentin to help you start a business?”

  Chloe considered this. The problem was, she had no idea what kind of business she’d want to start. She didn’t want to work that hard.

  She wanted to continue to give Quentin what he needed, and she wanted him to continue giving her what she needed.

  “Look, Quentin cares about me. He’s not going to leave me high and dry. And maybe one day he will ask me to marry him. And maybe I’ll say yes.”

  “Maybe you’ll say yes?” Lichelle asked.

  “Yes, maybe. Not every girl needs a husband. I’m happy having a sugar daddy.”

  “You a little old for a sugar daddy,” Trey said. Lichelle and Trey burst into laughter, and Chloe rolled her eyes at them both. She and Quentin were in a good place, and she had no intention of rocking the boat. And as long as she kept rocking Quentin’s world, she wouldn’t have to.

  CHAPTER 2

  Estelle watched in silence as chaos unfolded in her living room. These children, her grandchildren, were out of control. Her son treated them with kid gloves because they’d lost their mother, but after five years they were no longer mourning—just taking advantage of their daddy.

  The worst of the bunch was the oldest girl, Deirdre. From sunup to sundown she was on the phone talking to random thugs. The all-girls private school they spent thousands a year in tuition for did not seem to curb Deirdre’s taste for all things hood.

  Completely exasperated, Estelle snatched the phone from Deirdre. “Grandma!” Deirdre screamed.

  “Deirdre is busy right now,” Estelle said, ignoring her granddaughter’s pleas. “She will call you back later . . . What do you mean, who is this? It is her grandmother. And as a matter of fact, she will not be calling you back.”

  Estelle disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Deirdre. The teenager’s angry scowl didn’t faze Estelle one bit, although the young girl did in that moment look exactly like her mother. That tugged Estelle’s heartstrings a little, but not enough for her to tolerate foolishness.

  “Grandma, that was my boyfriend.”

  “He sounded like a thug. You can do better.”

  “I don’t want to do better.”

  Estelle shook her head and frowned. “Your mother would be . . .”

  “Turning over in her grave! I know, Grandma. But since she’s gone, she doesn’t really get a say on my boyfriends, now does she?”

  “Maybe not, but I do.” Quentin had entered the room. Estelle grinned when he kissed her on the cheek.

  Deirdre rolled her eyes. “Well, if I left it up to you and Grandma, I’d never have a boyfriend.”

  “A boyfriend shouldn’t be your priority, Deirdre. You’ve got your mind on the wrong thing.”

  “Nobody complains about your girlfriend . . .”

  Quentin raised an eyebrow at the insolent teenager, but Estelle stifled a giggle. It was no secret that neither Deirdre nor the other children were fans of Chloe, Quentin’s lady friend. Estelle had gotten a bad taste in her mouth about the woman on the day of her daughter-in-law’s funeral. She claimed to be Chandra’s college friend, but no one had ever heard of her. Nevertheless, she’d hung around just enough to get Quentin interested in her, and to Estelle’s dismay he’d taken a liking to her; he was seen all over town with her on his arm.

  Quentin said, “That’s the great thing about being an adult. You don’t have to answer to anyone about your romances.”

  “Grandma says we all have to answer to God.”

  Before Quentin got an opportunity to respond to that statement, eleven-year-old Danielle skated through the living room at breakneck speed. In hot pursuit were the fourteen-year-old twins, Madison and Morgan.

  “Give me my iPad!” Morgan screamed.

  Danielle laughed and eluded capture by twirling around a very expensive antique credenza. Estelle inhaled sharply at the thought of that family heirloom being harmed by horseplay.

  “I think Daddy should know that you are Skyping boys on here,” Danielle said.

  Madison said, “She is not! We’re trying to do a homework assignment.”

  Quentin caught Danielle on her next orbit of the room and took the tablet from her. “What kind of homework assignment?” he asked.

  “It’s a social experiment,” Morgan explained. “We’r
e trying to figure out what would happen if a totally z-list boy got attention from an a-list girl.”

  “The ramifications of such a thing are epic. It could change the whole sociopolitical landscape of middle school,” Madison said.

  Deirdre laughed out loud. “Enjoy the boys while you can! Next year you’ll be brutally forced into a world of all girls.”

  “No! Daddy said we could go to Reese’s high school!” Madison said.

  Deirdre’s jaw dropped. Estelle knew Deidre was going to have an issue with allowing the twins to go to the high school where their brother, Reese, was a graduating senior. Deirdre had been sent to the all-girls school because of her boy-crazy shenanigans in middle school. There was no reason to subject the twins to the same fate because of her actions. Deirdre hated St. Mary’s Preparatory School for Girls with a passion saved for first loves and chocolate.

  “Is this true, Daddy?” Deirdre asked.

  “I haven’t made any decisions one way or the other,” Quentin said, but his facial expression told a different story.

  Madison and Morgan gave Deirdre smug looks, and she sent the twins daggers with her eyes. Estelle knew this battle wasn’t over, especially since Deirdre was dead set on seeing boys at school every day.

  “Girls, give me a moment with your father, please,” Estelle said, as she directed the roller-skating Danielle toward the double staircase, though she wondered how that child navigated the mansion on wheels.

  The twins followed their little sister upstairs, but Deirdre remained on the couch, flipping through a magazine.

  “You too, Deirdre. Go find something to do that doesn’t include boys.”

  Deirdre gave her grandmother a deadpan gaze. “Well, Grandmother, I have no idea what that would be.”

  “Deirdre, stop antagonizing your grandmother,” Quentin said.

  Deirdre stomped toward the entrance to the downstairs game room. “She should stop antagonizing me.”

  Estelle shook her head as Deirdre exited. “That girl!”

  “I know, Mother. I know. What do you want me to do about it?”